ECOCHANGE, an IP in the 6th framework programme of the EU (Priority 6.3 on Global Change and Ecosystems) has been awarded for implementation.
Under the lead of the Univ. Joseph Fourier (Grenoble, F), ECOCHANGE will assess and forecast changes in terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystems and changes in the ability of biodiversity and ecosystems to supply goods and services and to buffer against climate and land use change.
This will be made possible by concentrating on improvements in three major areas, namely:
- the ability to predict biodiversity and species distribution patterns at a range of spatial scales sensitive to climate, land use and landscape structure
- the simulation of ecosystem processes and responses to a range of scenarios enabling the forecasting of expected changes in the biome distribution and its functioning, and
- the assessment of consequences of global change for ecosystems and plant species to provide goods and services to the population of the European Community.
The Centre for Geo-Information (Wageningen University and Alterra) will deliver all spatially distributed data for all of Europe at unprecedented spatial, spectral and temporal resolution within this project. Please contact Michael.Schaepman@wur.nl or Sander.Mucher@wur.nl for details.